Wayne D. Johnsen

Wayne represents broadcasters, cable operators, programmers, satellite operators, wireless companies and financial institutions in a variety of regulatory, corporate, and transactional matters. He has extensive experience assisting clients with broadcast licensing and radio and television regulation, must carry, retransmission consent, program access, cable franchising, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ownership rules and policies, and foreign ownership issues, including FCC and Team Telecom reviews. He has assisted clients in structuring and obtaining regulatory approvals of transactions involving broadcasters, cable operators, satellite operators, wireless and other telecommunications companies.

Representative Matters

• Counsels clients on FCC rulemaking proceedings, including those implementing the 1992 Cable Act and the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
• Advises broadcasters on compliance with FCC regulations and assists in negotiation and execution of retransmission consent agreements.
• Assists broadcasters in structuring transactions and obtaining regulatory approvals.
• Advises investment companies in transactions and maintaining compliance with FCC ownership rules.
• Advises cable clients in negotiations with local franchise authorities regarding renewal of cable franchises.
• Analyzes the regulations that would apply for a company to offer video using an existing, hybrid, or new network.
• Represented Charter, AOL/Time Warner, Comcast, and other cable operators in transactions requiring FCC and local franchise authority consent to transfers of control of cable franchise. Involved in preparing and implementing strategies to obtain regulatory consents.

Affiliations

• American Bar Association (ABA)
• Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA)
• Co-Chair, Video Programming and Distribution Committee (2014-2017)

Recognitions

• AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest ranking by peers for general ethical standards and legal ability